Since you already have Toneport GX, and if you really need to record the sound from your amp, I would advise to get a microphone+cheap mic preamp. Here's the recommendation:

1. Microphone - Shure SM57This is the industry standard microphone for guitar amp recordings, and it can be used for vocals as well. It costs 99$ at sweetwater (they have a free shipping and are great company).Shure SM57

2. Mic Preamp - ART TubeMPThis tube preamp looks like a good deal to me (if you're tight on a budget I would advise possibly Behringer MIC100). It's sturdy looking and ART brand I think will ensure that the quality is decent enough. Price is 49$ on sweetwater (again free sheeping). ART TubeMP

So these 2 things are basically what you need. You will also need to buy 2 more cables, 1. from mic to preampHosa XRR-115 15 feet cable - $10.69

2. from preamp to Toneport GX.Hosa CFS106 - $2.99 on Sweetwater

Another optional thing to get is a stand for the SM57 mic. I say option cause you could use only the mic and improvise the stand, but I think stand is a small price to pay. Here's a cool one from Sweetwater that costs only 13$:http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MicStdDesk/

At a roughly 175$ you will get a pro equipment for recording your guitar amp, and I think this equipment can later comfortably be used with a better audio interface. But GX will do the job nicely, and if you consider buying this, let us know, and we will give you some advices how to properly mic your amp.

I'd assume by tube mic pre - you mean a mic preamp based on vacuum tubes? Tube preamps - rather like tube guitar amps - are generally considered to offer a warmer and more musical sound to a solid state preamp. As an example Neves and Chandler were tube based whereas SSL made their fortune and reputation on solid state. The former tend to be more synonomous with a warm sound whereas the latter can be heard on an awful of of late 80s and 90s electronic and dance.

A good tube pre-amp will set you back easily more then 1500US dollars. As it stands people are still more then willing to pay a lot of money for vintage tube pre amps.

However if you mean a preamp for a vacuum tube microphone . Vac tube mics need both a separate power supply and often more gain then a dynamic mic. Whilst the mic should be supplied with the power supply any preamp that needs to feed a vac mic may need to take additional gain required. In that case you may need a pre that can deliver up to 60dB gain. This tends to be more true of the older tube mics - newer ones from the likes of Rode probably can be run off a standard preamp's gain range.

wow i didnt realize i could get that stuff that cheap...i thought it was going to be 2x that stuff! thanks for the tips...im probably going to invest in this soon...

No prob mate, and if you get it, feel free to experiment or ask any questions regarding micing the amp. We will help gladly!

QUOTE (VictorUK @ Feb 5 2009, 04:48 PM)

Anyone know the difference between tube mic pre-amps and something like the m-audio fast track wich is ss? or are they completely different things?

Victor.

I agree with tony, tube preamps have bit warmer and natural sound to them. The reason people use high end solid state preamps as well is that they offer very little coloration of the microphone signal, so who really needs that he will reach for a SS preamp. Who likes the warmth and added coloration he can get a tube preamp. With the low end preamps it doesn't really matter that much cause the sound quality is not the best, but when you have a 4000$ Neumman mic and recording in a top notch studio you want the best possible preamp available. Then it is all about personal preferences of the producer, artist or sound engeneer.

I would just get a good mic for recording amp - like sm57 and go straight to GX...ITs the cheapest option..You don't need fast track for Mic use..Toneport GX is designed to record Guitar/Bass and Mic....

What amp have you got? Some amps, even tube ones, offers a possibility to line the preamp into a mixer or soundcard.

There's also a possibility to patch a DI box (see Redbox from H&K) in between the amp and the speaker. In the first example above you're hearing the preamp. In the second you're hearing the poweramp. The Redbox has a cabinet simulator.

A couple of options to miking. These can sound very real and it's easier and quicker than setting up a mike right.Miking like Ivan describes is the pro way to go though

What amp have you got? Some amps, even tube ones, offers a possibility to line the preamp into a mixer or soundcard.

There's also a possibility to patch a DI box (see Redbox from H&K) in between the amp and the speaker. In the first example above you're hearing the preamp. In the second you're hearing the poweramp. The Redbox has a cabinet simulator.

A couple of options to miking. These can sound very real and it's easier and quicker than setting up a mike right.Miking like Ivan describes is the pro way to go though

im going to go the Ivan way...its not nearly as expensive as i thought so itll be good

I "can" hook the pre amp directly to the tone port...the problem is the sound i get is very...eh...compressed? i love the sound of the pre amp of my amp with the speakers...i just can beat...it packs a lot of punch...im going to do a video review of it this sunday actually and ill compare it to my toneport and what not